The Value of Banking Both Placenta and Umbilical Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood is the blood that is left over in the umbilical cord after childbirth. It can be obtained after the baby is born and the cord has been cut off. In addition to red and white Cord Blood cells, plasma and platelets, it also contains potentially lifesaving stem cells.

CD34+ stem cells are particularly valuable, as studies indicate that they have the capability to treat roughly 80 debilitating and life-threatening diseases and conditions to date. Studies also show that administering higher doses of these cells can result in higher chances of treatment success and patient survival.

One study in particular by Wagner, et al. revealed that patients who received the highest number of these cells had a survival rate that was three times higher than those who received the least number of stem cells.

It is for this reason that more and more families are investing in the preservation of their newborn's cord blood. With the increased potential of greater cell counts, many are also considering to cryogenically store (freeze) Cord Blood from the placenta, which is also a rich source of CD34+ cells. Collecting and storing blood units from these two sources doubles, on average, the amount of available stem cells.Cord Blood.

Given the progress that stem cell research and regenerative medicine have attained at present, and the promise that they show for the future, stem cell transplants may one day provide a cure for type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and brain injury, among other potentially life threatening and debilitating illnesses and conditions with inadequate treatment options today for Cord Blood.

CordBlood.org is an online portal for those seeking information on placenta and umbilical cord blood, and their potential benefits. It is maintained by LifebankUSA®, a leading cord blood banking facility under the Celgene Corporation offering Placenta-Cord™ banking services. Visit CordBlood.org for more information.
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